Just back from WDW with disabled mom

[Jonell]

I just wanted to give a quick review of our trip 9/3-9/11. This was our first trip traveling with someone who has a mobility disablility. We rented my mother a larger scooter from Apple Scooter. I was very pleased with, but I wish I would have rented the smaller travel scooter for those times we took our vehicle to dinner reservations. This was her first trip and she even made the comment how people would dart out in front of her scooter. But luckily no accidents..lol I was very pleased with the CM's and their kindness and patience with my mom transfering in and out of rides. The only ride that was a problem was HM. I asked the CM to slow it down or stop it, but they didn't and she almost fell. Our only real problem was with my room request. We stayed at BWV and 7 months ago I requested that my mother have a shower bench and a handheld showerhead. I was told by DVC MS that this could be arranged. When we got our room it was not provided. I called the front desk. Housekeeping brought up a small stool with a broken leg and told us that the showerhead could not be changed. We were eventually moved to a handicap accessible room. I guess it was my fault for not requesting a HA room, but my mom only needed the extra accommadations for the shower. I did not want to take away a HA room from someone who needed all of the accommadations of the room. Thanks everyone for the great tips. Overall, it was a wonderful vacation.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Traveling with person who is disbaled can be a challenge. Sounds like you did everything to make this a great trip for all. I have learned that requesting a handicapped room is best as it wil have the required aids to help the disabled get around easier. There is one thing that may need to be requested via a handicapped room. Asking for a roll-in roll out shower gives the disabled traveler easier access to the shower. It will already be set up with proper shower head and a shower seat. Some resorts call some rooms that only have bars in the bathroom and regular tubs the handicapped accessible rooms -- best to ask when making reservations. Thank you for thinking of other people who may need that room more---- your mom needed it to so don't worry.

 

[disney david]

some rides they cant slow down or stop i know peter pan they cant but not sure about haunted mansion sorry to hear that well it sound like you had a great trip minus that and hope she okay. I stayed at board walk but the inn side sorry to hear they didn't get you the things you requested they are ussally pretty good with request may be they had a off day. Did you talk to a manager because they are also good at trying to make it right and don't like it when guest are not happy at least that what i find. Thanks for taking the time to give us the report

 

[Piper]

HM can be slowed down and it can be stopped. I don't know why they didn't for you.

 

[disney david]

HM can be slowed down and it can be stopped. I don't know why they didn't for you.

thanks thought it could then they should of slowed it down or stopped it for you i hope she didn't get hurt from that.

 

[POOHsie]

Haunted Mansion entry for scooter/wheelchair people used to be at the exit. I understand that now all people go thru the round portrait chamber, then the scooter/wheelchair people head for the exit, while walkers go to the regular entry.

I can't walk without holding onto something. So HM will completely stop the ride for me so I can pull up to the handicap car and get myself in. Perhaps you weren't understood while explaining your mom's needs. Your mom could certainly be accommodated on HM.

 

[disney david]

I just wanted to give a quick review of our trip 9/3-9/11. This was our first trip traveling with someone who has a mobility disablility. We rented my mother a larger scooter from Apple Scooter. I was very pleased with, but I wish I would have rented the smaller travel scooter for those times we took our vehicle to dinner reservations. This was her first trip and she even made the comment how people would dart out in front of her scooter. But luckily no accidents..lol I was very pleased with the CM's and their kindness and patience with my mom transfering in and out of rides. The only ride that was a problem was HM. I asked the CM to slow it down or stop it, but they didn't and she almost fell. Our only real problem was with my room request. We stayed at BWV and 7 months ago I requested that my mother have a shower bench and a handheld showerhead. I was told by DVC MS that this could be arranged. When we got our room it was not provided. I called the front desk. Housekeeping brought up a small stool with a broken leg and told us that the showerhead could not be changed. We were eventually moved to a handicap accessible room. I guess it was my fault for not requesting a HA room, but my mom only needed the extra accommadations for the shower. I did not want to take away a HA room from someone who needed all of the accommadations of the room. Thanks everyone for the great tips. Overall, it was a wonderful vacation.

Was this when you was getting on the ride or getting off may be the cm didn't hear you and didn't have time to stop it safely.

 

[GranJan]

HM can be slowed down and it can be stopped. I don't know why they didn't for you.

I rode one of the moving platform type rides a few years ago. I can't remember which one...it was one of the kid rides in MK. We ask if they could stop it for me & they did for me to get on, but not to get off. I nearly fell too. I had a bad experience with HM on a previous trip...about 4 yrs ago...when I almost fell even while holding on to my husband. Without thinking, he told me to grab the rail...which isn't moving. Without thinking, I did it...big mistake! After that experience I wouldn't have gotten on any moving platform type ride if I had known they wouldn't stop it for me to get off. We're planning a trip in May & I'm going to try to ride more rides this time. I told my husband that if I get on a ride that was stopped for me to get on, I'll refuse to get off if they don't stop it for me to get off. My condition is much worse now so by May 2012 I may need to ride my scooter right up to the rides. I've been reading on this board to find out what will be possible for me to do. I know I could probably ride more than I have in the past...I'm tired of just waiting while the rest of my family rides.

 

[Jonell]

Thanks for your concern. My mom wasn't hurt but she stumbled getting off of the ride because the platform was moving to fast. I did ask the CM to slow it down twice and he told me he was but I did not see a difference in the speed. It just made her not want to ride anything else with the moving platforms. I was very pleased that she got to ride all of the things that she did considering her mobility limitations. She even made it onto POC She had a great time and I'm so glad I got to share it with her.

 

[disney david]

Thanks for your concern. My mom wasn't hurt but she stumbled getting off of the ride because the platform was moving to fast. I did ask the CM to slow it down twice and he told me he was but I did not see a difference in the speed. It just made her not want to ride anything else with the moving platforms. I was very pleased that she got to ride all of the things that she did considering her mobility limitations. She even made it onto POC She had a great time and I'm so glad I got to share it with her.

may be he was not quick enough well all that matters is she wasn't hurt and you two had great time.